Leon reached for his phone.“Let me get Bane and his group in on this game.It should be right up their alley.”He went over to the far side of the room to make the call and when he ended it he nodded at Lucinda.“They loved the thought of playing cat and mouse with them.”He looked around the table.“And we were right about Orlando taking the money and running off.But Ari and Sheeba have an eye on him and they won’t let him skip town.Bane is going to let Silva know that Orlando is planning on running rather than following through with their plans.”
Henri shook his head.“Dios mio, that’s not going to go over good with those boys.Makes a man wonder which one will find him first?”
Leon looked over at John.“Maybe it’s time to bring the family home, John.We can protect them better under our own roof rather than leaving them outside.Make sure they are safe and bring them all home.Then please tell the housekeeper to get a room ready for Henri.”
John nodded then looked over at Henri.
The older man stood from the chair and wobbled a bit.
Lucinda rushed over and steadied him.He had been through a lot.“Ay Poppy, be careful.”She took his arm.“I saw this housekeeper earlier.I can take you.”
Storm got up and took his other arm.
Henri fussed a bit.“No, no.You do not have to...”
Lucinda kissed his cheek.“Let me take care of you now.”She gave him no choice.“I am just so happy you are still with me.You will live in America near me, Poppy.”
He paused and got teary eyed.
“You are my only family, Poppy.”She nodded and escorted him out the door.
Her and Storm got him settled into a room.They also had a full meal being prepared and the housekeeper said she would deliver it and make sure he had all he needed.
Henri looked awed at the luxury he saw everywhere.The bed he had seemed too large for just him to sleep in.There were beautiful paintings on the walls and plush carpeting beneath his feet.He also had his own living room with a leather sofa and end tables.Lamps made of crystal and brass.Just richness of every kind was in abundance in the room.“Mios dio,” he exclaimed.The stunned look on his face at the size and elegance of the bathroom was amusing to say the least.“Ay hombre!”
Storm and Lucinda laughed.
Lucinda gave him a kiss on his weathered cheek.“You deserve it, Poppy.Eat your dinner then take a long hot bath.”
Finally, Storm led her silently to their room.
Lucinda took her sandals off, went over to the bed, lowered herself down and laid her head on the pillow.
Storm removed his boots, moved around the bed and laid down beside her.Wrapping his arms around her he told her to try and rest.
Lucinda snuggled into him then laid her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes.After a moment she let out a heavy sigh.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?”
She was silent for a long moment then she whispered, “Do you think I was wrong for suggesting the game of cat and mouse to Leon?”
Storm stared at the ceiling then asked, “Do you think you were wrong?”
Lucinda opened her eyes but couldn’t look at him.“I don’t know but maybe.”
He turned his head and stared at her.“In what way?”
Lucinda tried to pull away but Storm wouldn’t let her go.He simply asked her again, “In what way?”
She shrugged then said, “Very often I would walk away with bruises and no respect for myself left anymore.I’ve always known who I was and who I wasn’t.I heard it every day of my life.I was a bastard...my mother blamed me for something I couldn’t help, I was such a disappointment, or I should have been drowned the moment I came out of my mother.I heard it all, every single day of my life.My own father hid behind me when Bane came to call.I was only ten and my father held me up to cover him then he threw me away like trash.”She paused then swallowed hard.“Then when I grew older they had a harder time finding me and that just made the boys madder.I’m not telling you this for pity, that’s just the way it was in our village.”
Storm nodded.“I think I understand.You think you wanted to give them a taste of their medicine, maybe?”
She shrugged.“Maybe.”
Storm smiled.“I don’t think so.Actually, what you suggested has merit of a kind.”
“Merit?”Lucinda felt confused.
